Devil's Gate Music
Related Articles
Vulgarithm is an artist from the east midlands in the UK for fans of riffs and club classics on steroids. Andy “Dirt” McGurk takes the best metal riffs of the early 2000s, mixes it up with 90s dance music, and adds a unique touch of crushing beats. It is for fans of music who crave originality and fresh ideas, and for those who seek to escape. Get the lowdown on Vulgarithm from Andy himself, below:
What should people expect when they check Vulgarithm out? How would you describe yourself?
First of all, the first thing you’ll notice is the look. Vulgarithm is all about the visuals including lab coat, silver mask, and cyclop glasses, you will also notice a series of screens with visuals to light up the live show. As for audio, I would describe the style as “Riff Rave” which is a hybrid of the big riffs of early 2000s metal and the huge bass and beats of the mid-90s rave scene.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
I recently released a single called “The Influence Song”, this is one of many songs that will be on the future debut album which will either come out later in the year or sometime in 2025. There will be other singles being released across the year but in the meantime do check out “The Influence Song” on all streaming platforms and YouTube.
Regarding a similar audience, which band at the minute do you feel Vulgarithm would be best suited to open for?
I feel my sound is quite unique, so there is no set genre that I could follow, so in regards to the dance vibes I would say Pendulum, and in terms of big riffs and party vibes, I would say Skindred. Both are great bands that have a similar ethos as Vulgarithm.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
I listen to so much different music I’m now starting to forget some band’s names, however in the last 3 or 4 years I’ve bought 2 albums from a band called Black Orchid Empire, they have some huge riffs and some outstanding choruses. They aren’t very big but I feel they deserve to be bigger, definitely check them out.
What frustrates you most about the music business?
I feel the disposable nature of music as a whole is a sad state of affairs. Whether it is the targeting audience of 1-minute TikTok videos or the aim for a Spotify playlist, the short attention span of the current population seems to almost dismiss music as an art form. Unless you are actually watching a band or artist live on stage, it feels like for the bulk of the population music is a background commodity. There is no quick fix for this, I just hope in the future we still have artists producing great albums.
What was the last gig you attended as a fan?
Filter at O2 Islington in London back in March. It had been 10 years since I saw them and the music was spot on. Richard Patrick (lead singer and founder) still has such an incredible range for a career spanning 30 years.
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
Many issues really, but nothing in particular. I teach music in many schools in my region so I see the current education system after 14 years of conservative rule and the difficulties the staff have. I have rescue dogs from Romania so I’m an advocate for animal rights. Many of these issues can be squeezed into some of my songs with a satirical edge, some people often say “Keep politics out of music” but sometimes, especially in this social media age, we can be trapped in a bubble of information thanks to algorithms so I feel it’s more important than ever.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
I suppose those who know me don’t get surprised by my musical choices, but as a musician who has primarily been involved with hard rock, metal, and electronic, I have unironically owned an album by all of the following artists: Nickelback, Staind, Enya, 5ive, Goldie Lookin Chain, Belinda Carlisle, etc. That said though I listen to everything. Dance, Hip Hop, Metal, Ambient, Classical, Folk, World, it depends on my mood.
Everybody is a fan of something, who or what are you a fan of?
So many bands have influenced me over the years, so again I’ll just do a short list of those with the biggest influence. Oasis and subsequent Brit-pop bands, The Offspring and mid-90s pop punk. Any band from Seattle, Rage Against the Machine, Muse, Soulfly, and then Sepultura, Tool, and any Maynard James Keenan band, but mostly Nine Inch Nails.
What new music have you been enjoying so far this year?
One album I’ve listened to the most this year is probably “Rat Wars” by Health, an industrial band. Played it on and off now since its release at the beginning of the year, great album!
What does 2024 hold for Vulgarithm?
I have a few more singles to release, many gigs across the country as well in the process of getting booked, but more importantly finishing off the final touches to my upcoming debut album.
How active on social media are you and where can people connect with you?
I could be more active on social media but any simple search of Vulgarithm takes you to my Facebook page, Instagram page, YouTube channel, Twitter account, Bandcamp, etc. Just search Vulgarithm Official and that weird guy in a mask will show up!
